2008 Cadillac Escalade Consumer Reviews

Best SUV out there

Written by: frank s on 11/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I also own a 2007 Range Rover HSE with luxury package, and it's a great truck, but Escalade platinum is unbelievable. Everything is covered in soft great smelling leather, including dash and doors and entire seats. Power is spot on and most of all ride has better control and smoothness than regular Escalade and Range Rover because of magna ride. Same suspension as Ferrari 599 and Chevy Corvette ZR1 and new Caddy CTS-V . Must drive on highway. It's an absolute dream. Let's buy American again, because GM is finaly making a perfect car and America's future is in our hands to keep American companies alive for a better future.

Favorite Features

Leather, ride, navigation, white diamond color, and most of all power and ride with 100% quality.

Suggested Improvements

Make rear seats fold flat down

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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2008 cadillac escalade 4WD

Written by: doug delano on 10/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Not sure where to begin, this is my 2nd slade and the best. GM does need to give this monster motor multi-displacement and possibly engine off at idle, but appreciate its ability to run on mid grade nicely and regular in a pinch with no problems. 3rd seat layout is a joke and it went in my mini storage the 2nd day. Exhaust note at idle and low rpm is absolutely beautiful! And at freeway speeds muffler tech. makes the hearty growl disappear (Huh, how'd they do that ?) I've got 6600 miles on this brute and oil life is still projected at 38% left. Pretty cool with factory oil, and it hasn't used a drop.So much more to praise; ride/sound/build/comfort/Power/etc qualities. Platinum model next

Favorite Features

Engine, engine, engine !! Sweetest one yet (sans ZR1 motor) Interior , ergonomics, 22's from the factory, exhaust note, great looks, and mostly; Reliability Plus !

Suggested Improvements

Lose some weight and go to IRS for flat floor and lower height. No multi displacement is inexcusable ! Lower rolling resistance tires need to be on this truck as well. 6 spd auto needs to reprogrammed for quicker downshifts at slower speeds. Fuel savings is micro -minimal at 30 mph when in 5th gear

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Don't drink the Cadillac koolaid!

Written by: bobby on 10/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This may be the nicest looking large SUV, however the trade off for reliability, build quality/materials, and lack of basic amenities leave this owner regretting every drive. I only have 7 thousand miles and the things spends more time at the dealer than my garage. GM clearly rushed this vehicle to market before it was done. The interior materials are cheap and not color matched. The metal is different colors and burns your hands. My door panels are turning purple from black. Only 2 windows auto down. the third seat is a pain to store. The onstar drops calls in the city, god forbid I need it out of town. Buy something else!

Favorite Features

Exterior design.

Suggested Improvements

There is not enough room. Better interior materials, that feel better and match. Fold flat seats in the rear. Better shifting transmission. All four windows should auto up and down. Fix the onstar issue as California requires hands free phone use. The wood metal is cheap for 70 thousand $ vehicle.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Don't waste your money

Written by: R.Shoe. on 09/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

It is nice to drive and looks sharp. That is about it. Engineers must have been high when the interior was planned. The rear pass. windows don't roll down all the way. Was told GM makes these doors to small around the wheel well hence window rolls down 1/2 way - no it's not a safety thing. There are no pockets in the back side doors. No Storage. All of the seats are SO uncomfortable. They are like sitting on concrete. The third row seats have no place to put anything. For the third row both cup holders are on the left side of the car. There is a water leak in sun roof. Too many problems to list. No wonder GM is having financial problems.

Favorite Features

Still searching.

Suggested Improvements

Scratch current design and start from the beginning. Place this as an example of what not to do and rebuild from square one.

0 out 5 people found this review helpful

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The definition of incompetence

Written by: Lan on 07/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Smooth as silk if driven on glass. On slightly rough road, it hops a lot. Terrible visibility. Inconvenient entry/exit of rear passengers. Loose fitting panels. doors fill with water when washed. Transmission shifting erratic, and unpredictable (dangerous when towing). Cheep chrome on wheels and roof racks. Too noisy for a Cadillac. Rear suspension leveling is week. Flaws too many to list. Were Cadillac's engineers drunk or just plane incompetent??

Favorite Features

Engine power

Suggested Improvements

Where does one start on a car so, so far behind rivals of the same price! Like Lexus and Mercedes.

9 out 13 people found this review helpful

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All looks no quality! Terrible vehicle

Written by: Josh on 07/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I have owned 3 range rovers from 2005 up until 2008. I should have kept my range Rover. It's like going from a Porsche to a scooter. This car has no detail and terrible quality. The stitching is poorly done and everything looks like plastic. (wait! Is is all plastic, even the fake wood trim) from a side rear view the escalade looks ugly. The escalade idles very roughly. What do you expect from a gm I guess? Car was probably built in 15 mins. From robots. Good thing I lease this pile of junk cause range Rover is waiting for me.

Favorite Features

I leased the car so I can return it!

Suggested Improvements

Real Wood Trim Better quality stitching. Perforated seats with A/C Smoother ride Not so much ugly plastic inside Better clarity on Navigation screen (looks cheap)

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Great Car, my 2nd one!

Written by: B Peek on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I bought this great suv from the dealership in Dec. 2007, it was the manager's furnished auto. I traded in my 2004 Pearl White Escalade for this 08 Black beauty. I have all the bells on it as I did on the 2004! You cannot find a more comfortable car as the Escalade. I get 14 mpg average with the 08 and did the same with the 04. I will always drive an Escalade.

Favorite Features

Beauty and Comfort!

Suggested Improvements

NONE, it does not get any better than this.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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66K Piece of Junk

Written by: Mike on 05/27/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I loved the look of the new Escalade and alas that is all the car is. Just something good to look at. But it is a mechanical nightmare. This truck looks, drives and feels like it was put together in a hurry. I only have 2500 miles on it and the tranny bucks like a horse at least 3 times a day. Cadillac has reprogrammed some kind of computer but it keeps doing it and they say that there is nothing that they can do to fix it. It also idles very rough, the first month we had it it was fine and now it vibrates so badly at stop lights that it is embarrassing. Cadillac told me to use premium, I have and it still does it.Sometimes the power lift gate does not want to work. Should've gotten a 08 Sequoia

Favorite Features

My favorite features would have to be the navigation system and the power lift gate.

Suggested Improvements

Too many to list, so I'll go with a few, intelligent key, real wood, more comfortable seats, a DOHC engine..and a locking gas cap or fuel filler release lever would be greatly appreciated.

11 out 17 people found this review helpful

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wow!

Written by: Damein on 05/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

My ratings may look overboard, but I did not rate it against sports cars, but against other large, luxury suvs.

Favorite Features

Heated seats; woodgrain; 3 rows of seats; chrome; power.

Suggested Improvements

More power; more unified spoke design on the 22s.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Beauty with No Brawn

Written by: Me Myself & I on 05/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Cadillac Escalade 4dr SUV AWD (6.2L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I own a 2007 and a 2008 ESV - Both Black on Black with 24" non-stock rims. BEAUTY: I truly love the vehicles luxury, style, class, and SIZE, there's nothing better offered by any manufacturer. But here is what I find missing, or don't like. 1) No light in the glove box. 2) No auto-down windows, except drivers door. 3) Cheap battery. 4) No telescope steering wheel. 5) Small brakes. 6) No independent suspension. NO BRAWN: 7) The Escalade at 403HP is grossly underpowered. I am forced to switch the vehicle into tow-mode, to get higher revs out of each gear, in order for it to perform decently. Unfortunately, when in tow- mode, it down-shifts like a jake-brake!

Favorite Features

Class, Luxury.

Suggested Improvements

MORE HORSEPOWER! As well as more sporty timing of the transmission. I am now *forced* to purchase superchargers, so I can get the desired performance out of these Escalades. I thought there was going to be a great difference in performance between the Suburban and Escalade. I thought wrong.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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